Comparative politics Books

Book SynopsisThis book examines how Russia and Kazakhstan navigated the dilemmas associated with building regulatory state institutions on the ruins of the Soviet command and control system. The two nations developed predatory and wasteful crony capitalism but still improved their business climates and economic performance. To better understand these seemingly incompatible outcomes, the book advances a theory of authoritarian regulatory statehood. It argues that politicians use institutions of the state as a means to balance conflicting elite demands for economic rents and popular demands for public goods and economic growth. An effective balancing of the two prevents elite subversion and popular revolt in the short run and ensures elites'' continued access to economic rents in the long run. Empirical analysis of nearly a million national and regional regulatory documents enacted in Russia and Kazakhstan between 1990 and 2020 shows that formal regulatory institutions the autocrats built have a profTrade ReviewThis manuscript is packed with superb insights, interesting findings, innovative methods, and valuable data. It seeks to reveal the agency and discretion that bureaucrats and other regulatory actors retain and strategically deploy within authoritarian regimes and explores how their actions interact with important political economy outcomes. Above all, it shows the highly complex and conditional effects of "regulatory reforms" when they are uncritically introduced in authoritarian settings where politicians face trade-offs to retain power and distribute patronage to clients and allies. * Alexander Cooley, Claire Tow Professor of Political Science, Barnard College *Thieves, Opportunists and Autocrats is a fascinating, rich, and complex book that makes multiple contributions to the literatures on political economy and the former Soviet Union. The study, which provides a great review of Russia and Kazakhstan's post-Soviet economic history, reveals how economic regulations, institutional politics, and business-state relations together determine the nature and effectiveness of autocratic governance with ramifications for states across the globe. * Marc Berenson, Kings College London *Thieves, Opportunities and Autocrats is a fascinating and extremely well-researched study of how authoritarian elites use very modern bureaucratic techniques for the purposes of control and co-optation. Duvanova provides more evidence that the neoliberal model of bureaucracy, which has spread across the world in recent decades, is entirely compatible with authoritarian rule. The book is a must-read for anyone working on public policy or comparative political economy of non-democracies. * John Heathershaw, University of Exeter *

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Book SynopsisThis is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-BC-ND 4.0 International License. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.The puzzle of why some countries are wealthier and more developed than others continues to confound students and practitioners of development alike. Whereas earlier grand explanations focused on issues of ''geography'' or ''institutions'', the second decade of the 21st century finally saw ''politics'' arrive centre-stage within international development. This catalyzed a search to answer the key question: under what conditions do governments become committed to and capable of delivering development? How can these processes be conceptualized and researched? And what (if anything) can be done to ''get the politics right'' for development?Pathways to Development draws on a major comparative research effort to present new answers to the question of how politics shapesTrade ReviewPathways to Development reveals an insightful response to a critical question: Why do some countries make choices that lead to economic and social development while others fall behind time and again? Challenging current responses emphasizing the role of institutions and democratic governance, Hickey, Sen, and their colleagues demonstrate convincingly that the nature of elite coalitions, and the ideas they embrace, condition development outcomes. In this incisive study of how several African countries have chosen to exploit their natural resources, deliver social services, and build state capacity, these scholars explain how the politics of elite bargains contribute to or diminish development potential. * Merilee S. Grindle, Edward S. Mason Professor of International Development, emerita Harvard Kennedy School *What explains differences in performance among states in the developing world? This landmark volume contains the best synthesis yet of what rigorous social science - as opposed to amateur speculation and academic dogma - has to say on this important perennial question. The answer turns out to be complicated but, in Hickey and Sen's lucid treatment, not at all obscure. Action-oriented professionals who have been demanding usable guidance on the subject should not be disappointed. Nor should scholars in mainstream economics and political science fields so long as they engage with its arguments seriously. The book not only challenges some standard assumptions that should have been consigned to the intellectual junk-yard long ago but provides a richly referenced discussion on the basis of an ample evidence-base that will be new to many. * David Booth, Senior Research Fellow, ODI *This book builds a powerful framework to illustrate how underdevelopment is a political problem. Utterly convincingly and fantastically erudite. If, like me, you believe that you can't solve the problem of development without understanding its causes, then read this book. * James A. Robinson, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago *Table of Contents1: Pathways to Development: Introduction 2: Reconceptualizing the politics of development: the power domains approach 3: Political economy puzzles: how do countries grow and how can they avoid the natural resource curse? 4: Rights and recognition puzzles: when do elites commit to protecting vulnerable citizens? 5: Social provisioning puzzles: how can countries move from providing access to providing high-quality social services? 6: The politics of governance and state capacity 7: Conclusions and implications

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"More than any, this book from the 76-year-old author, an accomplished scholar of governance, is a much-needed critique of what he calls the 'detached cynicism' of the death-of-democracy literature. His delightful prose is a feather in the cap of this unsentimental exploration of a hot topic." * Open Magazine *"In recent years, there has been an explosion of studies seeking to explain why, some 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the apparent triumph of liberal democracy, democracy is under challenge by the assertive forces of autocracy in both international politics and the homelands of democracy itself. Ringen offers an important addition to this literature. How Democracies Live is accessible, lucid, and thought provoking. Highly recommended." * Choice *“In our era of democratic decline, Ringen returns to the great thinkers for a series of clear-eyed explorations about how to restore our systems of governance. A truly important book for dangerous times.” -- Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago“A sober and passionate defense of representative democracy as humanity’s best hope for self-government. Chock full of recommendations for repair of the public culture on which effective government depends. The hard case for democracy for unsentimental realists.” -- Joel Rogers, University of Wisconsin–Madison“Ringen opens an erudite and accessible conversation about governance. The power of his bracing analysis of democracy—its value and what imperils it—sneaks up on you, and by the end, you’ll have thought seriously about the things that matter most for the state of contemporary democracy. -- Mark Tushnet, Harvard Law School“Starting with the essential role of government in providing for security and protection, Ringen shows how only representative democracy can deal with the realities of power. If you despaired of finding a work that showed how progressive policy can be rooted in a hard-headed assessment of democracy, this is the book for you.” -- Albert Weale, University College London“With artful and flowing prose, Ringen engages readers in a compelling conversation about the nature of democracy, its current malaise, and future prospects.  He argues, convincingly, that the key to salvaging democracy today is reconstructing its cultural foundations. This daunting task falls primarily on the shoulders of far-sighted leaders.” -- Maurizio Ferrera, Università degli Studi di Milano StataleTable of ContentsPreface We Need Democracy Book One The Problem of Power Book Two The Problem of Statecraft Book Three The Problem of Freedom Book Four The Problem of Poverty Book Five The Problem of Democracy Postscript We Need to Talk about Democracy Acknowledgments Notes References Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisA major contribution to the field of comparative state formation and the scholarship on long-term political development of Latin AmericaTrade Review“This book delivers what Max Weber never did—an empirically convincing positive theory of state formation. You’ll never think about Latin America in the same way again.”—James A. Robinson, University of Chicago “A pathbreaking account of why trade-led state formation in Latin America produced weaker states than those generated by military conflict in Europe and a powerful explanation of divergent trajectories within Latin America. Empirically rich and beautifully written, Latecomer State Formation will be required reading in comparative politics. It is the most important book on state development I have read in many years.”—Steven Levitsky, Harvard University “In this dazzling and conceptually innovative book, Mazzuca distills the core logic of state formation in Latin America. Latecomer State Formation illuminates how global historical forces shape the very size and capacity of modern states. Magisterial and incisive, it is indispensable reading for any comparative scholar of state-building in the post-colonial world.”—Maya Tudor, University of Oxford “Each page explodes with intellectual energy and new insights. It teaches a profound lesson: forming a state is not the same as state-building. Historically rich and conceptually innovative, this is the best book I have read on state-building in over a decade.”—Daniel Ziblatt, Harvard University “Trade makes states, but it makes weaker states than war. Mazzuca sheds new light on why Latin American politicians formed states that were territorially solid yet institutionally incapable. In our collective quest to understand non-European states, Mazzuca’s far-reaching study helps us draw lessons from Latin America as much as from Europe.”—Dan Slater, University of Michigan

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Book SynopsisFaced with government’s ineptitude, people are attracted to strong leaders and bold action. As Pierre Rosanvallon demonstrates, “presidentialism” may reflect the particular concerns of today, but its many precursors show that democracy has always struggled with tension between popular government and concentrated authority.Trade ReviewFor Americans, Pierre Rosanvallon’s masterful study relating the history of executive empowerment to crises of democratic representation is unexpectedly timely. A major intervention by a leading French political thinker. -- Samuel Moyn, Yale University[A] brief, brilliant intellectual history…Macron’s scrambling of the French party system confirms Rosanvallon’s diagnosis that the contemporary era is one of ‘malrepresentation’…He demands nothing less than a ‘second democratic revolution.’ The first revolution was driven by the demand for universal suffrage; the second will concern the optimization of governance. -- Jan-Werner Müller * London Review of Books *Pierre Rosanvallon gives us precise words and a historical context for understanding [democratic] disenchantment… No one can explain better than he does how executive power…finally emerged as the only effective instrument for the transformation of societies. -- Bruno Le Maire * Philosophie Magazine *

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Book SynopsisGabriele Cosentino is Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at The American University in Cairo, Egypt.Trade ReviewThe book offers a sweeping inquiry into many relevant informational short-circuits and omissions that contributed to the Covid-19 pandemic. * Cristian Vaccari, Loughborough University, UK *Cosentino achieves something incredibly impressive with The Infodemic, succinctly and coherently distilling crucial elements of a complex information ecosystem that roiled the world for over two years. * Marc Owen Jones, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Where did it all begin? 1. The Infodemic 2. Wet Market or Lab Leak? Controversies on the Origin of COVID-19 3. Democratic chaos: QAnon and the COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories 4. You Can’t Arrest a Virus: How Autocrats Exploited the Pandemic Conclusion: How will it end? Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a hands-on introduction and teaching resource for students, users, and teachers of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA; Ragin, 1987, 2000, 2008b). Given its superior ability to model certain aspects of complexity, QCA has made inroadsinto virtually every social science discipline and beyond. Software solutions for QCA have also been developing at a fast pace. This book seeks to reduce the time and effort required when we first encounter the logic of not just a new method but also newsoftware. It offers a genuinely simple, intuitive, and hands-on resource for implementing the state-of-the-art protocol of QCA using R, the most advanced software environment for QCA. Our book has an applied and practical focus--Trade ReviewIn a relatively short, clear, and well-written textbook, the authors cover all the essentials of QCA. It includes all the current practices and developments that one needs to do a complete QCA analysis. I am using it in my QCA class and I think the students will like it. Gary Goertz, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre DameThis book is simply a must for anyone aiming at exploiting 'hands on' the distinctive analytic leverage of QCA, via the vast possibilities of the R environment. Benoît Rihoux, University of Louvain and COMPASSS global network (compasss.org)Every now and then, a book comes along of which you think 'why wasn't this around when I was learning this stuff?'. Because sometimes, you just want to learn from the best. The authors have written an excellent guide for both first-time users and experienced QCA scholars: robust, powerful, and a must-read. Bart Cambré, Antwerp Management SchoolEasily accessible and loaded with a wealth of examples, this important book by Oana, Schneider, and Thomann provides an expert guide to the set-analytic perspective. The integration of concepts and research strategies with the R software package makes their approach particularly successful. I expect it will quickly become the standard introduction to QCA. Peer C. Fiss, University of Southern CaliforniaSocial scientists interested in QCA should not miss this book. Oana, Schneider, and Thomann offer an introduction to QCA that is friendly, up to date, and technically advanced. The volume covers set relations, calibration of “crisp” and “fuzzy” sets, necessary conditions, sufficient configurations, temporality, advanced diagnostics, and post-QCA tools. Each chapter contains intuitive examples, advanced tips, and detailed implementation instructions in R. Aníbal Pérez-Liñán , University of Notre DameTable of ContentsPart I. Getting started: Introduction: QCA in a nutshell; Part II. Before the analytic moment: 2. Calibrating and combining sets; Part III. During the analytic moment: 3. Necessary conditions; 4. Sufficient conditions; Part IV. After the analytic moment: 5. Rounding up solid a QCA; 6. Post-QCA tools; 7. Summary and outlook.

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Book SynopsisExplores how right-wing populists use religion as a cultural identity marker for minorities, while remaining distanced from Christian values, beliefs, and institutions. Based on interviews with key figures in the USA and Europe, this book asks how religiously diverse societies can confront the rise of a secular, populist and identitarian right.Table of Contents1. Introduction: the new crusaders; Part I. Foundations: 2. Definitions, methods, cases and sources; 3. A fourfold argument: the identity cleavage, the secular right, religious immunity, and Christian leadership; Part II. The German Churches and the AfD: Debunking Populist Sanctimony: 4. Christianity and democracy in Germany after WWII: from a marriage of convenience to happily ever after?; 5. The advent of the AfD in the context of the new identity cleavage; 6. Defenders of the faith? The AfD's Christian credentials under scrutiny; 7. Religious immunity: voting behaviour and the Church's social firewall; Part III. French Catholicism between the RN and laicité: between the devil and the dark blue sea: 8. La République Laïque vs. La France Catholique: the rise and decline of French 'Catho-Laïcité'; 9. France's new identity cleavage and the rise of the far right; 10. La fille ainée de l'Église? Christianism and secularism in the French populist right; 11. A successful dédiabolisation? Factors in understanding the weakening of religious immunity to populism in France; Part IV. A Faustian bargain? American Christianity and Trumpism.12. 'A Nation under God'? American civil religion between the wall of separation and Christian nationalism; 13. The new social cleavage: from religious culture wars to white identity politics; 14. The Saviour of Christian America? Trumpism's Christian credentials through the lens of the cultural-ethical triangle; 15. A Faustian bargain? Understanding white Christian support for Trump; Part V. Conclusion: 16. Squaring the circle: four cornerstones of a general theory of the relationship between right-wing populism and religion in the West; 17. Democracy after God? Faith, populism and the future of liberal democracy; Bibliography; Appendix A; Appendix B.

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Book SynopsisFully updated, this second edition provides a class-tested system analysis approach to sustainability for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. The latest scientific data and insights are integrated into a broad transdisciplinary framework. Readers explore sustainability issuesthrough the lenses of cultural and methodological pluralism.Trade Review'In this new edition, Bert de Vries sets the foundation of sustainability science through systems thinking. This could not be timelier as socio-ecological turbulence increasingly becomes the norm, as predicted in the Club of Rome report. Rooted in the history of civilizations and modernity, embedding ethics and worldview diversity, we are invited to explore how wellbeing, education or nature awareness may build a sustainable future, with pertinent analyses in all sectors, from forest and fisheries to water management, materials or energy. This is a mustread for all Earthlings.' Olivier Hamant, Director of the Michel-Serres Institute'Technical and accessible are generally seen as dichotomous. De Vries proves the opposite is true with this masterful introduction to the essential building blocks of sustainability science. The book goes well beyond its promise of methodological pluralism by providing mathematical, biophysical, economic, social and cultural lenses to help us understand and respond to the ecological and climate crisis.' Piotr Magnuszewski, Scientific Director, Centre for Systems Solutions, Wrocław'Sustainability science is the means by which a fractured and unequal world of 8+ billion people can map the systemic challenges of the Anthropocene, to bring together the transformational actions that will help us navigate the twenty-first century. Bert de Vries' seminal text provides us the worldviews, values and methods to chart these transitions to a better, more equal and sustainable world.' Aromar Revi, Director, IIHS Bangalore City Campus'Stewarding our planet towards a safe and just future requires nothing less than a deep scientific understanding of the functioning of our Earth system, and a truly holistic view of how nature, humanity and the physical world share a common fate. This book propagates this message in a unique way, offering scholars and students a first step towards informed agency.' Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK); Professor of Earth System Science, University of Potsdam; Chief Scientist, Conservation International'Bert de Vries reveals the secret to making the world sustainable. And no, it's not technology. It is our adoption of alternate worldviews that reflect our values and beliefs, such as individualism, collectivism, consumerism, or frugality. These shape our choices and actions for the planet, and determine whether we help or harm sustainability. This book is essential for anyone who wants to foster sustainability.' Anupam Saraph, Sustainability and Systems Leadership Mentor'Sustainability science has evolved over decades to address a fundamental challenge: the decline and collapse of socio-ecosystems driven by a political economy too narrowly defined by goals and policies of only one or a few disciplines. Bert de Vries ably succeeds in showing how to expand the range of enquiry to embrace perspectives from many disciplines, as well as from the wider world of enterprise and governance. But he further offers a unique perspective that makes this edition of his text invaluable in showing how to look below the transdisciplinary layer that defines trends, causal mechanisms and policies to see the worldviews and paradigms that generate and sustain them. Using systems science to integrate horizontally across disciplines, and vertically from trends down to mental models, offers the reader the most comprehensive set of analytical tools in the sustainability field. Essential reading.' Jan Sendzimir, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis'Sustainability Science by Bert de Vries presents a truly transdisciplinary and pluralistic approach to understanding human–environment interactions for improving and maintaining human well-being. Guided by worldview frameworks and systems thinking, this book impressively integrates the myriad parts of geography, ecology, philosophy, epistemology, history, culture, ethics and religion into the whole of sustainability. It is remarkably comprehensive, insightful and thought-provoking.' Jianguo (Jingle) Wu, Dean's Distinguished Professor of Sustainability Science, Arizona State University; Editor-in-Chief of Landscape EcologyTable of ContentsForeword; Preface; List of acronyms and abbreviations; List of units; Part I. Setting the Stage: 1. Sustainable development: a personal and societal aspiration; 2. Sustainable science: context and content; Part II. The State We're In and How We Got There: 3. Early states and civilisations; 4. Industrialisation: the great acceleration; 5. Modernity: the idea of progress; Part III. Engagement through Worldviews: 6. The worldview framework; 7. Worldviews: values, beliefs, ethics; Part IV. Understanding Sustainable Development: 8. Understanding, modelling, managing complexity; 9. Modelling sustainable development; Part V. Sustainability Themes: 10. Concepts, methods and indicators; 11. Population: humans and their habitat; 12. Pillars of development: health, education and mobility; 13. Nature: the life-support system; 14. Renewable resources: fisheries and forests; 15. Land and agro-food systems; 16. Water: the precious resource; 17. Energy: to a carbon-free supply; 18. Materials: towards a circular economy; 19. The economy; Part VI. Closure: 20. Stories about the future; Glossary; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisExplains how China spreads its global influence via infrastructure development and exports of digital technologies and standards. This book will appeal to policymakers, business leaders, students and scholars of Chinese politics and foreign policy, economic development, international business, international relations, and comparative politics.Trade Review'Why do some countries receive Chinese investments directed towards infrastructure while others do not? In this informative, well-argued and richly documented book, Richard Carney moves beyond stale, outdated explanations that ignore the nuances associated with both infrastructure investment and autocratic rule. Carney argues that China seeks to own and control infrastructure projects in electoral autocracies such as Malaysia due to basic incentive compatibility: their rulers must compete in frequent, albeit rigged, elections, and thus welcome clientelistic spending because of, not despite, its inefficiencies and opaqueness. Perhaps the most important contribution is Carney's ample documentation of China's efforts to dominate standard setting around digital technologies associated with the unfolding Fourth Industrial Revolution. The stakes could not be higher.' Victor Menaldo, Professor, University of Washington and Co-founder and co-director of the UW Political Economy Forum'A focused, detailed scholarship on China's Belt and Road initiative that is sorely needed. Carney's address of why countries participate in the BRI, and why and how China engages them, is particular interesting. Both the argument and evidence are convincing and compelling.' David C. Kang, Maria Crutcher Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California'Developing countries are growing more than twice as fast as advanced economies and will soon account for two-thirds of global GDP. For multinational corporations, it is vital to establish operations in these markets. Chinese organizations possess novel forms of competitive advantage that Western firms are still learning to adapt to. With truly comprehensive evidence, Richard Carney shows where Chinese firms are most eagerly welcomed for their decades-long commitments to build and maintain infrastructure projects which in turn grants other Chinese firms privileged access to the fast-growing demand for digital technologies. 'China's Chance to Lead' is essential reading for executives looking to understand China's newly influential role among developing countries and the accompanying opportunities and risks.' Allan Gabor, President Merck China, EVP ElectronicsTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Market failures and China's chance to lead; 3. Measuring infrastructure needs and foreign infrastructure investment; 4. Theory: why countries vary in their participation in the belt and road initiative; 5. Measuring clientelism and the corporate sector across political regimes; 6. Political regimes and BRI country level patterns; 7. Political regimes and BRI project characteristics; 8. Case studies of political regimes and the BRI; 9. Chinese exports of digital technologies and standards; 10. Conclusions and implications .

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Book SynopsisWhy are some countries less corrupt and better governed than others? Challenging conventional explanations on the remarkable differences in quality of government worldwide, this book argues that the organization of bureaucracy is an often overlooked but critical factor. Countries where merit-recruited employees occupy public bureaucracies perform better than those where public employees owe their post to political connections. The book provides a coherent theory of why, and ample evidence showing that meritocratic bureaucracies are conducive to lower levels of corruption, higher government effectiveness, and more flexibility to adopt modernizing reforms. Data comes from both a novel dataset on the bureaucratic structures of over 100 countries as well as from narratives of particular countries, with a special focus on the relationship between politicians and bureaucrats in Spain and Sweden. A notable contribution to the literature in comparative politics and public policy on good governTrade Review'In this impressive book, Dahlstrom and Lapuente think deeply about the organization of the state and the quality of government. They argue that a productive structuring of the relationship between politicians and civil servants minimizes corruption and inefficiency. They explore this relationship with terrific case examples and data on more than 100 countries around the world. It is a terrific example of research that carefully builds bridges across literatures to provide new insights on big questions.' David E. Lewis, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee'Dahlstrom and Lapuente succeed in making the study of public bureaucracy central to future research in comparative politics and political economy. They provide considerable and compelling theoretical and empirical evidence for their claim that merit selection is even more important than rules and regulations in both constraining corruption and in improving policy and practice. Theirs is a significant contribution to understanding the variation in the performance of democratic governments. In this era of increasing anti-government populism, they provide hope that at least democracies will be able to continue to perform at high levels and according to the best scientific evidence available.' Margaret Levi, Stanford University, CaliforniaTable of Contents1. Why relations between politicians and bureaucrats matter; 2. Theory; 3. A closed Weberian bureaucracy; 4. Corruption; 5. Effectiveness; 6. Reforms; 7. Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisMost autocrats now hold unfair elections, yet how they compete in them and manipulate them differs greatly. How Autocrats Compete advances a theory that explains variation in electoral authoritarian competition. Using case studies of Tanzania, Cameroon, and Kenya, along with broader comparisons from Africa, it finds that the kind of relationships autocrats foster with supporters and external actors matters greatly during elections. When autocrats can depend on credible ruling parties that provide elites with a level playing field and commit to wider constituencies, they are more certain in their own support and can compete in elections with less manipulation. Shelter from international pressure further helps autocrats deploy a wider range of coercive tools when necessary. Combining in-depth field research, within-case statistics, and cross-regional comparisons, Morse fills a gap in the literature by focusing on important variation in authoritarian institution building and internationalTrade Review'Why do some authoritarian regimes enjoy genuine electoral support, while others resort to electoral manipulation and repression to stay in power? In this sophisticated analysis of contemporary authoritarian regimes, Yonatan L. Morse attributes variation in autocrats' electoral strategies to both the legacies of institution building and to the nature of international patronage. Morse's account is rich in nuance and firmly rooted in African politics, yet provides generalizable lessons that will be of interest to scholars of comparative politics and international relations alike.' Daniela Donno, University of Pittsburgh'Yonatan L. Morse's book is an excellent contribution to the study of electoral authoritarian regimes. Grounded in a deep knowledge of contrasting cases such as Cameroon and Tanzania, the book focuses on the internal workings of ruling parties to provide new insights on how autocrats manage to hold onto power in some countries without having to resort to violence and fraud during elections.' Leonardo R. Arriola, Director of the Center for African Studies, University of California, Berkeley'This ambitious, imaginative and well written book has a great deal to tell us about how authoritarians give themselves an unfair electoral advantage - and so keep themselves in power - in Africa. We need to understand that authoritarians have gone from refusing to hold elections to finding new ways to rig them, and this book provides essential insights about how and why this has happened.' Nic Cheeseman, University of Birmingham and author of How to Rig an Election'This book makes an impressive theoretical and empirical contribution, helping to move research on electoral authoritarianism beyond questions of durability and stability to a new question: how such regimes compete.' Susan Dodsworth, Democratization'Yonatan Morse's book is a must read for anyone interested in autocratic institutions or African political parties. It is a welcome qualitative analysis of autocratic parties that offers an in depth look at opaque organizations that nonetheless have had profound impacts on the political trajectories of the regimes they serve.' Natalie Wenzell Letsa, Perspectives on Politics'… a major contribution to the literature on authoritarian politics.' Michaela Collord, Political Science QuarterlyTable of Contents1. The puzzle of electoral authoritarian competition; 2. Ruling parties, international patrons, and electoral authoritarian competition; 3. Electoral authoritarian competition and the African experience; 4. The origins and structure of ruling parties in Tanzania, Cameroon, and Kenya; 5. Ruling party credibility and the management of elite competition; 6. Ruling party credibility and the sources of voter support; 7. The electoral consequences of international patronage; 8. Authoritarian competition in Africa's former single-party regimes; Conclusions. The comparative study of electoral authoritarianism; Appendix I. Electoral authoritarian competition in Africa; Appendix II. Typological theory coding and scores.

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Book SynopsisJudges often behave in surprising ways when they re-interpret laws and constitutions. Contrary to existing expectations, judges regularly abandon their own established interpretations in favor of new understandings. In Reconstructing Rights, Stephan Stohler offers a new theory of judicial behavior which demonstrates that judges do not act alone. Instead, Stohler shows that judges work in a deliberative fashion with aligned partisans in the elected branches to articulate evolving interpretations of major statutes and constitutions. Reconstructing Rights draws on legislative debates, legal briefs, and hundreds of judicial opinions issued from high courts in India, South Africa, and the United States in the area of discrimination and affirmative action. These materials demonstrate judges'' willingness to provide interpretative leadership. But they also demonstrate how judges relinquish their leadership roles when their aligned counterparts disagree. This pattern of behavior indicates thaTrade Review'… Stohler provides a compelling argument for recognizing and understanding constitutional interpretation through the lens of deliberative partnerships. It is well-researched and well-written with a rich body of evidence that I strongly recommend for scholars and students in political science and law, particularly those concerned with questions of interbranch relationships, constitutional interpretation, and comparative studies.' Allyson C. Yankle, Law and Politics Book ReviewTable of ContentsPart I. Introduction: 1. The politics of legal interpretation; Part II. United States of America: 2. Equality rights in American education and public spending; 3. Equality rights in American employment; 4. Equality rights in American representation; Part III. India: 5. Equality rights in Indian employment; 6. Equality rights in Indian education; Part IV. South Africa: 7. Equality rights in South Africa; Part V. Conclusion: 8. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisFrom Parchment to Practice explores the set of problems that arise when a new constitution has been adopted. All new constitutions must manage a balance or tension between two forces: aspirations for social and political transformation on the one hand and demands for preservation of old interests and institutions on the other. The period following the initial adoption of a new constitution, is the conceptual, temporal, and institutional bridge between the past and future. It is the moment when the transformative and the preservative forces in constitutional design can come into the sharpest conflict. Through a series of case studies, this volume analyzes the variable nature of these type of conflicts - and the diverse means through which they are mediated, whether successfully or not.Trade Review'Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.' E. C. Sands, ChoiceTable of Contents1. Introduction. The first-period problem of constitutional implementation Tom Ginsburg and Aziz Z. Huq; Part I. The Problem of Transformation in Constitutional Design: 2. Looking 'backward' or 'forward' to American constitutional development: reflections on constitutional 'endurance' and 'adaptation' in the 'First Republic' Sanford Levinson; 3. Marking constitutional transitions: the law and politics of constitutional implementation in South Africa Rosalind Dixon and Theunis Roux; 4. India's first period: constitutional doctrine and constitutional stability Madhav Khosla; 5. Two steps 'forward', one step 'back'? Transformation and correction in the implementation of Ecuador's 2008 constitution Eric Alston; Part II. The Issue of Gender: 6. The long road ahead: the first period of a gender-responsive constitution in Zimbabwe Claudia Flores; 7. Constitutional reform and women's political participation: electoral gender quotas in post-Arab Spring Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan Susan H. Williams; Part III. Institutional Development and the Role of Courts: 8. Explaining the institutional role of the Colombian Constitutional Court Diego González; 9. Implementing a new constitution in a competitive authoritarian context: the case of Kenya James Thuo Gathii; Part IV. Authoritarian Transitions: 10. Transformational authoritarian constitutions: the case of Chile Tom Ginsburg; 11. Authoritarian straitjacket or vehicle for democratic transition?: the risky struggle to change Myanmar's constitution Melissa Crouch; 12. The Ethiopian constitution and ethnic federalism Daniel Abebe.

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Book SynopsisWhy did 62 million Americans vote for Donald Trump? Trump and Us offers a fresh perspective on this question, taking seriously the depth and breadth of Trump''s support. An expert in political language, Roderick P. Hart turns to Trump''s words, voters'' remarks, and media commentary for insight. The book offers the first systematic rhetorical analysis of Trump''s 2016 campaign and early presidency, using text analysis and archives of earlier presidential campaigns to uncover deep emotional undercurrents in the country and provide historical comparison. Trump and Us pays close attention to the emotional dimensions of politics, above and beyond cognition and ideology. Hart argues it was not partisanship, policy, or economic factors that landed Trump in the Oval Office but rather how Trump made people feel.Trade Review'Roderick Hart casts a sharp eye on a divided America in the era of President Trump. He is unsparing in his assessment of the president but doesn't stop there. His insights into the gulf between the president's advocates and detractors, and what each could learn from the other, plus his analysis of the relationship between Trump and the media, add significantly to this work.' Dan Balz, Washington Post'Trump and Us is a paradigm-shifting work that clearly illuminates why and how Donald Trump has been able to win over so many average Americans. Hart assembles a wide range of compelling evidence to demonstrate that Trump, with his one-of-a-kind populism, has crafted a message predicated upon stories that tap into strong emotional undercurrents. Meticulously researched, keenly argued, highly objective, and written in vivid prose, this book is a must-read for all who seek to understand the Trump phenomenon.' Diana Owen, Georgetown University'No one writes about the role and implications of political and campaign rhetoric better than Rod Hart. Using content analysis data from the 1948 through 2016 presidential election campaigns, as well as deftly chosen examples, Hart compares the rhetoric of Donald Trump with that of the other candidates for the office. But Trump and Us is not merely a study of political rhetoric. It is a profound meditation on the role and meaning of campaign rhetoric for a democracy.' Jeffrey Cohen, Fordham University'The vast majority of commentators as well as many academics find it difficult to analyze Donald Trump's political appeal without injecting their personal biases. Roderick Hart is the rare exception. Hart puts Trump in historical context by skillfully analyzing a host of quantitative indicators and makes the hard data come alive by juxtaposing it with the words of ordinary Americans. No political commentator should be allowed to opine about Trump in 2020 without first reading this book.' Morris P. Fiorina, Stanford University'… Trump is good at being a demagogue. That conclusion is hardly surprising, and it is to Hart's credit that he realizes that the big questions are what Trump's success reveals about the American nation and its people.' F. E. Baumann, Choice'This book is a brilliant dissection, by a renowned communications scholar, of the political messaging that Donald Trump used to win the presidency in 2016 … Many readers of this book will, therefore, probably come away from it feeling as if they had just witnessed a real-life autopsy: repulsed, but also awed … a compelling, insightful examination of Trump's successful campaign rhetoric.' Mel Laracey, Congress & the PresidencyTable of ContentsPart I. Feeling Conflicted: 1. Trump's arrival; Part II. Feeling Ignored: 2. Trump's simplicity; 3. Trump's populism; Part II. Feeling Trapped: 4. Trump's passions; 5. Trump's stories; Part IV. Feeling Besieged: 6. Trump's medicine; 7. Trump's journalism; Part V. Feeling Tired: 8. Trump's novelty; 9. Trump's spontaneity; Part VI. Feeling Resolute: 10. Trump's lessons.

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Book SynopsisStudents of history, politics, economic change, social hierarchy, and even Fascism will view this book as provocative and indispensable. It illuminates how plagues, blockades, migrations, and such world-changing innovations as the invention of printing precipitate political and social revolutions in some societies but peaceful adaptation in others.Trade Review'From the pandemic-induced shocks to the labor supply, to electoral support for right-wing populists, to war-related malnutrition, this historical work seems 'ripped from the headlines.' In fact, it is the culmination of an idea the author advanced decades ago in Commerce and Coalitions. In demonstrating how political action can be understood as one possible response to economic shocks, Rogowski has, once again, provided the closest thing political economy has to a unifying theory.' William Roberts Clark, Texas A&M University'As the world reels from crippling supply shocks, this book could not be more timely. In it, Rogowski explores how unforeseen events can cause sudden and significant disruptions to economic and political life … a must-read for anyone seeking a better understanding of the complex dynamics of supply shocks and their impacts on society.' Stephanie Rickard, London School of Economics'Ranging from the Black Death to World War One, with many stops in between, Rogowski analyzes how major events worked their way through economics and politics. Full of important lessons for a world newly sensitive to the importance of reliable sources of supply, Shocking Contrasts will be read with great benefit by anyone interested in the interaction of technology, the economy, and politics in modern societies.' Jeffry Frieden, Harvard UniversityTable of ContentsPreface and acknowledgments; 1. How supply shocks arise and why political responses to them vary; 2. Who adjusts to a supply shock and who resists it: three determining factors; 3. Why a technological solution does, or does not, emerge; 4. Exogenous loss of labor: the black death in fourteenth century Europe; 5. Exogenous gain of labor: railroads, reproduction and revolution: the Russian population explosion between 1850 and 1914; 6. Exogenous loss of land: blockade, hunger and the Nazi pursuit of Lebensraum; 7. Exogenous increase of human capital: French Huguenots in German cities and principalities, 1685-1715; 8. When the endogenous becomes exogenous: the printing press as a multiplier of human capital; 9. Conclusion: the role of other factors, including institutions, ideas and human agency.

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Book SynopsisCOVID-19 is the biggest public health and economic disaster of our time. It has posed the same threat across the globe, yet countries have responded very differently and some have clearly fared much better than others. Peter Baldwin uncovers the reasons why in this definitive account of the global politics of pandemic. He shows that how nations responded depended above all on the political tools available - how firmly could the authorities order citizens'' lives and how willingly would they be obeyed? In Asia, nations quarantined the infected and their contacts. In the Americas and Europe they shut down their economies, hoping to squelch the virus''s spread. Others, above all Sweden, responded with a light touch, putting their faith in social consensus over coercion. Whether citizens would follow their leaders'' requests and how soon they would tire of their demands were crucial to hopes of taming the pandemic.Trade Review'In this compelling guide to the coronavirus pandemic, Peter Baldwin shows that the varied state responses to COVID-19 cannot be explained by science or politics alone but depend on range of historical, social and cultural factors. Likely to be read long after the first wave is over.' Mark Honigsbaum, author of The Pandemic Century: A History of Global Contagion from the Spanish Flu to Covid-19'Why have countries taken such different approaches to fighting COVID? How have assumptions about behaviour, or political cultures, shaped responses? Peter Baldwin draws on the history of public health to produce a wide ranging analysis which helps us understand such surprising national divergences and outcomes.' Virginia Berridge, author of Public Health. A Very Short Introduction'Peter Baldwin, a very distinguished historian of epidemics and of the modern state, provides a rich, thoughtful, and accessible account of the various attempts to come to grips with COVID-19 around the world. This book will be at the center of the discussion for years to come.' Timothy Snyder, author of Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary'In Fighting the First Wave, one of the leading comparative historians of our era contemplates the worst global pandemic of the past century. This book will be an essential tool for understanding our present dilemmas, particularly those stemming from what Baldwin terms 'the social contract's fine print,' that is, the need to balance individual rights against the public good.' Nancy Tomes, author of The Gospel of Germs: Men, Women and the Microbe in American Life'In this masterful book, Peter Baldwin unravels the most puzzling aspect of the global response to COVID-19. His beautifully written and meticulously researched analysis spans history, science, politics, and law. From autocracies to democracies, Baldwin offers key lessons not just for COVID-19, but for future pandemics that most assuredly will come.' Lawrence O. Gostin, author of Foundations of Global Health and Human Rights'Peter Baldwin's examination of the 'first wave' of COVID-19 is a timely contribution and especially valuable because of its global reach. The central question of the book is fascinating and thought-provoking: why, despite a shared scientific understanding of the etiology of COVID-19, were the responses of governments across the globe so divergent?' Frank Snowden, author of Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present'Brisk and informative, this first draft history of the pandemic is a valuable resource for policymakers and lay readers looking to go beyond the headlines.' Publishers Weekly'The really disquieting possibility raised by Baldwin's history is that the central problem faced by many Western countries this past year was not political division, or libertarianism, or even Trump - it was democracy.' Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker'The best book written about the pandemic, so far' Crawford Killan, The Tyee'(Baldwin's) breadth is impressive, and his prose often elegant.' Henry Mance, Financial Times'Commendably, this well-written book is accessible to all audiences … The detailed index and Baldwin's extensive notes are of particular value. This will be a welcome text for use in university public health and history programs as well as an informative resource for general readers … Highly recommended R. A. Logan, ChoiceTable of ContentsIntroduction: One Threat, Many Responses; 1. Science, Politics, and History: Do They Explain the Variety of Approaches to Covid-19?; 2. New Dogs, Old Tricks: Fighting Covid-19 with Ancient Preventive Tactics; 3. The Politics of Prevention: How State and Citizen Interacted, Battling the Virus; 4. What Was Done? Act One of the Pandemic; 5. Why the Preventive Playing Field Was Not Level: Geography, Prosperity, Society; 6. Where and Why Science Mattered: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herd Immunity, Asymptomatic Carriers, Superspreading, and Masks; 7. From State to Citizen: The Individualization of Public Health; 8. Who is Responsible for Our Health? How Prevention was Enforced; 9. Difficult Decisions in Hard Times: Trade-offs between Being Safe and Solvent; Conclusion: Public Health and Public Goods: The State in a Post-Pandemic World; Acknowledgments; Notes; Index.

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Book SynopsisDevelopments in European Politics considers what Europe is, where it came from, and what European citizens can make of it. It brings together specially commissioned chapters by leading authorities to give an up-to-date and systematic analysis of European political developments in institutions, processes and policy at national, regional and international levels. It provides wide-ranging and clear analysis of the factors influencing European politics, from populism and extremism in national politics to the broader forces of globalization, immigration, climate change and international terrorism.Bringing together a brand new contributor team, this new edition offers:- More coverage of Europe''s role in the world- Increased focus on the attitudes of European citizens as the motor of European politics- End of chapter reading suggestions and key questions, enabling readers to engage with the important issues at stake- An overarching framework that hones in on four contemporary themesTrade ReviewThe third, and entirely fresh, edition of Developments in European Politics breaks Europe’s fast-paced politics down into digestible themes. Each theme is fundamental, informed by state-of-the-art research, and presented in crisp language. This book will be an indispensable resource for undergraduates, graduates, and teachers of European politics. * Liesbet Hooghe, Professor of Political Science, European University Institute, Italy, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA *EU scholars and teachers will find no better book to turn to in order to explore the vastly changed landscape of European politics in the last decade. The brilliance of this first ever all-female cast brought together by Anghel and Jones lies in their capacity collectively to combine rigorous and theoretically informed analysis, critical engagement with existing scholarship, a forward looking gaze, and perhaps most importantly a focus on those who for too long have remained the unsung main character in our European saga - the citizens. * Kalypso Nicolaïdis, Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford, UK *A superb addition to the Developments in European Politics canon. With talented authors and insightful contributions, this volume updates and builds on longstanding debates in the field as well as extending the discussion into gendered dimensions and the role of informal institutions. A must read for scholars of the EU. * Laura Cram, Professor of European Politics, University of Edinburgh, UK *This is a much-needed resource for any student of politics, sociology or international relations interested in the contemporary politics of Europe. The book is exceptional in its broad coverage and topicality, written in an accessible way that will be valued by lecturers and students alike. * Vlastimil Havlik, Associate Professor, Masaryk University, Czech Republic *Exploring the most significant challenges Europe is facing today, this (almost) female only volume takes the reader on a wild ride across time and European space. The result is a thought-provoking state of the art account of developments in European politics up to the present. * Dorothee Bohle, Professor of Comparative Political Science, University of Vienna, Austria *This book provides authoritative and comprehensive coverage of the key discussions and debates in contemporary European politics, and will be of significant use for anyone seeking to explore the political dynamics shaping Europe today. * Graham Timmins, Reader in International Politics, University of Birmingham, UK *A vital introduction to the major issues and cleavages of twenty-first century European politics. * Luke Cooper, Senior Research Fellow, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Democracy and Accountability in 21st Century Europe, Simona Piattoni 2. Representation and Accountability, Julia Schulte-Cloos 3. Local Governance and Local Communities in Europe, Jennifer Fitzgerald 4. Informal Institutions: The World’s Open Secrets, Veronica Anghel 5. Political Mobilization and Social Movements in Europe, Alice Mattoni and Julia Rone 6. Climate Change and the Environment, Clare Saunders 7. Capitalist Varieties under One Roof: Coping with Diversity in the European Union, Vera Scepanovic 8. Worlds of Welfare Regimes, Kimberly J. Morgan 9. Gender, Women, and Politics, Lisa Baglione 10. The Comparative Politics of Migration Governance in Europe, Regine Paul 11. Populism and Extremism, Léonie de Jonge 12. Integration and Disintegration, Nicole Lindstrom 13. Terrorism and Organized Crime, Rosa Maryon and Simone Tholens 14. European Foreign Policy, Sonia Lucarelli Conclusion

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Book SynopsisWritten by a team of experts, this text introduces all of the main competing theoretical approaches to the study of the state, including pluralism, Marxism, institutionalism, feminism, green theory and more. A brand new ''issues'' section enables readers to apply these key concepts and theoretical approaches to important developments in the state today. This new edition offers: - Coverage of all key empirical and theoretical developments in the field, with analysis of the impact of globalisation, global financial upheavals, Brexit, Covid-19 and social movements such as Black Lives Matter - A wide range of voices, perspectives, contemporary and historical examples, giving readers a holistic overview of the field, as well as deeper dives into key issues - Brand new chapters on sovereignty, security, territory, capital, nationalism and populism - Guided further reading suggestions at the end of each chapterProviding both a firm grounding in the key concepts and critical engagement with cTrade ReviewThis updated edition of The State explores different theoretical perspectives on the idea of the state, the state apparatus, the nature of state power, and its social bases, whilst also critically engaging with its fundamental features like sovereignty, security, business, territory, nationhood, and populism. The result is a comprehensive and nuanced review of key historical, theoretical, and empirical themes on state power, relevant to key issues past and present. * Bob Jessop, Professor Emeritus, Lancaster University, UK *Recent events like the Covid-19 pandemic underline the importance of the state in contemporary politics. This text, drawing on the expertise of leading scholars, is an authoritative and indispensable source for understanding the theoretical debates and key issues in the study of the modern state. * Andrew Gamble, Professor of Politics, University of Sheffield, UK *A revised edition of this classic text has been long overdue and the editors and authors have not let us down. The State sheds new and penetrating light on a concept we all use, but struggle to pin down. It will be a welcome resource for students and scholars alike. * Jack Corbett, Professor of Politics, University of Southampton, UK *This updated edition of The State explores different theoretical perspectives on the idea of the state, the state apparatus, the nature of state power, and its social bases, whilst also critically engaging with its fundamental features like sovereignty, security, business, territory, nationhood, and populism. The result is a comprehensive and nuanced review of historical, theoretical, and empirical themes on state power, relevant to key issues past and present. * Bob Jessop, Professor Emeritus, Lancaster University, UK *Table of ContentsIntroduction - Colin Hay & Michael Lister Part I – Theories 1. Pluralism - Martin J. Smith 2. Elitism - Mark Evans 3. Marxism - Colin Hay 4. Public Choice - Brad R. Taylor & William Bosworth 5. Institutionalism - Vivien Schmidt 6. Feminism - Johanna Kantola 7. Green Theory - Annica Kronsell & Roger Hildingsson 8. Poststructuralism - Alan Finlayson & James Martin Part II – Issues 9. The State and Sovereignty - Chris Brown 10. The State and Security - Pinar Bilgin 11. The State and Territory - Rhys Jones 12. The State and Capital - David Marsh 13. The State and Nationalism - Nicola McEwen and Daniel Cetrà 14. The State and Populism - Mikko Kuisma Conclusion – Michael Lister & David Marsh

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Book SynopsisRussia's invasion of Ukraine presents a major challenge for Russian studies. It has demonstrated the imperative to search for better ways to understand Russia. At the same time, the war has spotlighted Russian imperial ambitions and colonial attitudes toward countries around it and ethnic minorities within it, raising uncomfortable questions about whether our own views of these countries and peoples reflect this biased Russian gaze.Understanding Russia is more important than ever and diverse perspectives are needed. With a stronger focus on informal institutions, marginalised voices and de-centering of Russian studies, Developments in Russian Politics 10 brings together a diverse author team to offer fresh viewpoints on a rapidly evolving subject. Discussing established topics such as executive leadership, parties and elections as well as newer issues of national identity, protest, and Russia and Greater Eurasia, this new edition analyses the political systeTrade ReviewBy a long distance the best available undergraduate text on contemporary Russian politics. The impressive writing team have succeeded in producing a text which is both fully up to date and an excellent summary of developments in the field over the recent period. * Dr Matthew Wyman, Keele University, UK *Written by renowned scholars in the field, this book provides readers with a comprehensive analysis of the key issues shaping political developments in Russia. It is an invaluable publication for students who wish to understand how Russia's domestic politics and foreign policy are intertwined. * Professor Peter Vermeersch, KU Leuven, Belgium *This is an exceptional volume showcasing the insights of established and upcoming scholars of Russia alike. It makes sense of the shifting sands of politics in reaction to Russia’s brutal and senseless invasion of Ukraine. It does so with nuance and acumen, providing a bottom-up, societal approach to complement its analysis of the vagaries of Russia’s ‘patronal’ high politics. * Professor Luke March, University of Edinburgh *Table of ContentsPreface – Henry E. Hale, George Washington University, USA; Juliet Johnson, McGill University, Canada; and Tomila Lankina, LSE, UK 1. Putin and the Dynamics of Russia’s Political System – Henry E. Hale, George Washington University, USA 2. Russian Imperial and Soviet History – Kristy Ironside, McGill University, Canada 3. How Russia’s Past Influences Current Politics – Tomila V. Lankina, LSE, UK 4. Nationalism, Identity, and the Russia–Ukraine War – Gulnaz Sharafutdinova, King's College London, UK 5. Russia’s Gendered Politics – Valerie Sperling, Clark University, USA 6. Russia’s Economic Policies – Juliet Johnson, McGill University, Canada 7. Russia’s Informal Economy – Yoshiko M. Herrera, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA; and Evgeniya Mitrokhina, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA 8. Formal Institutions of Government – Grigorii V. Golosov, European University at Saint Petersburg, Russia 9. Authoritarian Mechanics – David Szakonyi, George Washington University, USA 10. Federalism and Centre–Periphery Relations – Vladimir Gel’man, European University at Saint Petersburg, Russia 11. Chechnya – Marat Iliyasov, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA 12. Inequality and Marginalized Groups – Jeremy Morris, Aarhus University, Denmark 13. Protest and Civil Society – Katerina Tertytchnaya, University College London, UK 14. Climate Change – Debra Javeline, University of Notre Dame, USA 15. Russia's Invasion and Ukraine's Resistance – Maria Popova, McGill University, Canada; and Oxana Shevel, Tufts University, USA 16. Russian Foreign Policy – Kathryn Stoner, Stanford University, USA

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Book SynopsisCovering the impact of austerity, Brexit, the Scottish Independence Referendum and the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive, this book discusses how wider national developments shape and are shaped by the process of devolution in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, assessing its impact on politics, policy and public administration. Drawing together extensive scholarship on devolution, Devolution in the UK compares the similarities and differences between the different devolved nations, and tackles key questions:- Where did devolution come from, and what does its future look like?- What are the most effective devolution systems, and what are their benefits?- Why does Wales have fewer devolved powers than Scotland and Northern Ireland?- What impact will Brexit have?- Why are national identities, symbols, languages, flags and culture so important? Spanning the introduction of devolution in 1988 to the present, this is essential reading if you are studying deTrade ReviewDevolution in the UK provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the UK’s territorial politics. The book is a great asset for learning about: historical and recent developments; legislative and fiscal powers; and the role of political parties, devolved legislatures, executives and civil service. -- Marius Guderjan * Freie Universität Berlin, Germany *This timely volume traces the asymmetric development of devolution in key public policy areas. An important text for students and scholars of political science and public policy. -- Colin Knox * Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan *The perfect combination of clarity and detail, this book does a masterful job of covering the fundamentals of the post-devolution UK political system, its institutions, and administration. -- David Moon * University of Bath, UK *An excellent, informed and well-rounded comparative consideration of devolution in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. This text will provide any reader with all they need to know about the contemporary situation in the devolved areas. -- Murray Leith * University of the West of Scotland, UK *The devolved UK has changed markedly since 1999. Birrell, Carmichael, and Heenan have done a wonderful job in helping researchers to understand what a contemporary multi-level UK looks like. -- Paul Cairney * University of Stirling, UK *This is an indispensable book for anyone interested in devolution. Comprehensive and authoritative, the volume covers the politics, parliaments and processes associated with a fundamental reshaping of the UK. A triumph. -- Jon Tonge * University of Liverpool, UK *Devolution in the UK is brilliantly comprehensive in its analysis of the big political trends that have shaped UK devolution as well as analysing the minutiae of policy outcomes. A must read for devolution scholars and practitioners. -- Sarah Ayres * University of Bristol, UK *As someone who works within and across all four nations of the UK I consider this essential reading for understanding how we got to where we are now, and where’s next. -- Jon Glasby * University of Birmingham, UK *An invaluable guide to devolution, based on thorough research and incisive analysis. The authors provide comprehensive coverage of the political, legal, constitutional, financial and administrative elements of this evolving subject. -- Robert Pyper * University of the West of Scotland, UK *A timely and much-needed comprehensive review and analysis of the structures and impact of devolution. The authors provide an understanding of the complex realities of contemporary governance in the UK. -- Andrew Massey * King’s College London, UK *This book provides a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the key developments in devolved politics across the UK since 1999. Well written, well organized and based on up-to-date research, it provides an essential starting point for anyone studying or teaching devolution in the UK. -- Ian Stafford * Cardiff University, UK *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. The meaning and foundation of devolution 3. The growth in Scotland's powers 4. Fiscal devolution 5. Political parties and systems 6. Devolved political institutions 7. Policy outcomes: divergence and convergence 8. Devolution and new models of public administration 9. Devolution, localism and partnerships 10. Intergovernmental relations: co-operation and conflict 11. Conclusions

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Book Synopsis Undoing the Revolution looks at the way rural underclasses ally with out-of-power elites to overthrow their governments—only to be shut out of power when the new regime assumes control. Vasabjit Banerjee first examines why peasants need to ally with dissenting elites in order to rebel. He then shows how conflict resolution and subsequent bargains to form new state institutions re-empower allied elites and re-marginalize peasants. Banerjee evaluates three different agrarian societies during distinct time periods spanning the twentieth century: revolutionary Mexico from 1910 to 1930; late-colonial India from 1920 until 1947; and White-dominated Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) from the mid-1960s to 1980. This comparative approach also allows examination of both the underclass need for elite participation and the variety of causes that elites use to incentivize peasant classes to participate, extending from religious-ethnic identity and common political targets to the peasa

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Book SynopsisHow Western donor assistance can both help and undermine democracy in different parts of the world Democracy promotion is a central pillar of the foreign policy of many states, but the results are often disappointing. In Promoting Democracy, Manal A. Jamal examines why these efforts succeed in some countries, but fail in others. A former journalist and researcher in the Palestinian territories, she offers an up-close perspective of the ways in which Western donor funding has, on one hand, undermined political participation in cases such as the Palestinian territories, and, on the other hand, succeeded in bolstering political engagement in cases such as El Salvador. Based on five fieldwork trips and over 150 interviews with grassroots activists, political leaders, and directors and program officers in donor agencies and NGOs, Jamal brings into focus an often-overlooked perspective: the experiences of those directly affected by this assistance. Promoting Democracy makes an important andTrade Review"This sophisticated, penetrating, and innovative analysis draws on extensive field research and a firm command of the available literature. It represents a significant contribution to our understanding of why democracy aid succeeds or fails and the often fraught relationship between peacebuilding and democracy support." -- Thomas Carothers,author of Development Aid Confronts Politics: The Almost Revolution"Flawless, detailed, and extremely well documented. This will become an instant classic in the list of critical studies on NGOs or civil society, and for political scientists in search of innovative South-South comparative studies." -- Benoit Challand, co-editor of The Struggle for Influence in the Middle East: The Arab Uprisings and Foreign Assistance"This book is superb in its quality, thoroughness, and clarity. Manal A. Jamal systematically sustains an argument in a fascinating study that is unusual for its insightful comparison of two ‘post-war’ examples of democracy promotion, with careful and textured attention to evidence, historical context, and conditions" -- Frances Hasso, author of Consuming Desires: Family Crisis and the State in the Middle East"Jamal combines mastery of the theoretical literature and political history with extensive field work, including over 150 in-depth interviews with grassroots activists, political leaders, and officials from donor agencies and NGOs." * Choice *"Jamal gives a fascinating and detailed account of the history of mass-based grassroots organizations both before political settlements in each country were reached and how these organizations were transformed as a result of the settlement, with additional chapters focusing on specific issues related to donor aid and (non)inclusive settlements. Her engagement with the available literature on development studies demonstrates her mastery of this subject [...] Academics and students of development studies alike would also be well served in reading this book." * The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs *"Jamal’s work offers several empirical and theoretical contributions. The author makes good use of the data throughout the book and provides a tantalizing insight into the intertwined world of foreign donors, NGOs, and activists [...] Promoting Democracy: The Force of Political Settlements in Uncertain Times makes a valuable contribution to the field of development studies. It will assist scholars and practitioners in thinking about how to best finance and construct conflict settlements that can achieve democracy—assuming, of course, that is indeed their primary goal." * The National Review of Black Politics *"Despite a growing critical scholarship on such aid, relatively less attention has been paid to understanding how democracy aid actually works in practice. The politics embedded in the enterprise have often been absent from such work and are, frankly, difficult to capture without significant field research and engagement with both the donors and recipients of democracy aid. Manal A. Jamal’s book Promoting Democracy is thus an important and timely contribution […] Far from rendering an easy verdict on the ability of Western democracy aid to positively impact democratization, the book is notable for illuminating the complexities shaping the possibilities for such aid in times of transition… This book makes a significant contribution to the field for deepening our knowledge of the politics of democracy aid at both the macro and micro levels of its provision. While not explicitly aimed at policymakers and aid practitioners, her findings should also be of deep interest to those communities." * Political Science Quarterly *"Promoting Democracy is a politically relevant, deeply informative, and very engaging book. It provides a rare example of cross-regional comparison by comparing a Latin American case with a Middle Eastern case. It is a must read for those who are interested in conflict resolution, democratization, and civil society, in both regions." * Mediterranean Politics *"Jamal’s argument is compelling and backed by extensive field research, including more than 150 interviews with stakeholders in Palestine and El Salvador, supported by rigorous analysis. The book is a trove of important insights on the relationship between peace building and democracy promotion that will be of great value to policy makers and scholars alike. The book’s true value, however, is in laying out the conceptual and practical failings of the Oslo process… Jamal’s book is a timely and welcome contribution to the literature on the complex relationships between democracy promotion, state building, and peace building. Above all, the book is a reminder of the primacy of political settlements—and of politics more broadly—in supporting democratic outcomes as well as the folly of attempting to reengineer or freeze out elements of Palestinian politics." * Journal of Palestine Studies *"Promoting Democracy makes an important contribution to the study of democracy assistance and democratic development. Although the relative success of democracy assistance is certainly influenced by a wide range of domestic factors, Jamal makes a compelling case for recognizing the importance of political settlements in postconflict societies." * Latin American Politics and Society *"Jamal’s contribution here is commendable for using cases from different regions and attempting to bring the Middle East into conversation with the larger subfield of comparative politics. Her generalizable argument, together with the rich detail of her case studies, makes for a thought-provoking read and will surely generate future inquiry." * Perspectives on Politics *"This book is likely to become an important reference point for other scholars researching democracy promotion and democratization in post-conflict contexts in the Middle East and beyond. The comparison of cases from different geographical regions has a particular strength in revealing relevant factors not considered previously in the literature on democracy promotion." * International Journal of Middle East Studies *

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Book SynopsisPrinciples of Comparative Politics offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to comparative inquiry, research, and scholarship. In this thoroughly revised Third Edition, students now have an even better guide to cross-national comparison and why it matters. The new edition retains a focus on the enduring questions with which scholars grapple, the issues about which consensus has started to emerge, and the tools comparativists use to get at the complex problems in the field. Updates to this edition include a new intuitive take on statistical analyses and a clearer explanation of how to interpret regression results; a thoroughly-revised chapter on culture and democracy that includes a more extensive discussion of cultural modernization theory and a new overview of survey methods for addressing sensitive topics; and a revised chapter on dictatorships that incorporates a principal-agent framework for understanding authoritarian institutions. Examples from the gender and politics literature have been incorporated into various chapters, and empirical examples and data on various types of institutions have been updated. The authors have thoughtfully streamlined chapters to better focus attention on key topics. Explore online resources: https://edge.sagepub.com/principlescp3eTable of ContentsPart I. What Is Comparative Politics? Chapter 1. Introduction Overview of the Book The Approach Taken in This Book Key Concepts Chapter 2. What Is Science? Introduction What Is Science? The Scientific Method An Introduction to Logic Myths about Science Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 3. What Is Politics? The Exit, Voice, and Loyalty Game Solving the Exit, Voice, and Loyalty Game Evaluating the Exit, Voice, and Loyalty Game Conclusion Key Concepts Preparation for the Problems Problems Part II. The Modern State: Democracy or Dictatorship? Chapter 4. The Origins of the Modern State What Is a State? Somalia and Syria: Two Failed States The Contractarian View of the State The Predatory View of the State Conclusion Key Concepts Preparation for the Problems Problems Chapter 5. Democracy and Dictatorship: Conceptualization and Measurement Democracy and Dictatorship in Historical Perspective Classifying Democracies and Dictatorships Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 6. The Economic Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship Classic Modernization Theory A Variant of Modernization Theory Some More Empirical Evidence Conclusion Key Concepts Appendix: An Intuitive Take on Statistical Analyses Problems Chapter 7. Cultural Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship Classical Cultural Arguments: Mill and Montesquieu Does Democracy Require a Civic Culture? Religion and Democracy Experiments and Culture Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 8. Democratic Transitions Bottom-Up Transitions to Democracy Top-Down Transitions to Democracy Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 9. Democracy or Dictatorship: Does it Make a Difference? The Effect of Regime Type on Economic Growth The Effect of Regime Type on Government Performance Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Part III. Varieties of Democracy and Dictatorship Chapter 10. Varieties of Dictatorship A Common Typology of Authoritarian Regimes The Two Fundamental Problems of Authoritarian Rule Selectorate Theory Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 11. Problems with Group Decision Making Problems with Group Decision Making Arrow’s Theorem Conclusion Key Concepts Problems APPENDIX: STABILITY IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL MAJORITY-RULE VOTING Chapter 12. Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Democracies Classifying Democracies Making and Breaking Governments in Parliamentary Democracies Making and Breaking Governments in Presidential Democracies Making and Breaking Governments in Semi-Presidential Democracies A Unifying Framework: Principal-Agent and Delegation Problems Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 13. Elections and Electoral Systems Elections and Electoral Integrity Electoral Systems Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 14. Social Cleavages and Party Systems Political Parties: What Are They, and What Do They Do? Party Systems Where Do Parties Come From? Types of Parties: Social Cleavages and Political Identity Formation Number of Parties: Duverger’s Theory Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Chapter 15. Institutional Veto Players Federalism Bicameralism Constitutionalism Veto Players Conclusion Key Concepts Problems Part IV. Varieties of Democracy and Political Outcomes Chapter 16. Consequences of Democratic Institutions Majoritarian or Consensus Democracy? The Effect of Political Institutions on Fiscal Policy Electoral Laws, Federalism, and Ethnic Conflict Presidentialism and Democratic Survival Conclusion Key Concepts Problems

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